This year, I managed the Rock Creek Vet check. This is usually done by
Pete Occhialini and Jim Holbrook. After working the ride for the past
three years, they decided to take a break and see the trails. They both
ride experienced endurance horses and are usually middle of the pack
finishers. Both horses and riders have completed the Tevis and finished
all their rides this year in great shape. When Pete and Jim came into
the lunch stop, they discovered they were in the top ten. Along with
Cindy Larkin and Becky Santucci, they decided to see if they could
actually top ten the ride. They came back through the Rock Creek Vet
check, horses looked great and continued on. Cindy finished 6, Pete 7th
, Jim 8th and Becky 9th. Pete's horse Donald went on to win the best
condition. In response to jtaylor, neither rider's horse had any
swelling or soreness. Donald was trotting in his pasture the next day
and generally looked and felt a lot better than his rider. Both horses
are being given 2 weeks off, because the pace was faster than usual. We
will probably be back to our normal riding pace in the rides to come,
and having as good a time as ever. Come join us next year and plan to
be pampered through your ride. It's a tough ride, but we will take care
of you.
Karin Occhialini
-- Rancho Occhialini "Where the fat guy lumbers"--------------1AAE18D1163B--